Exploring Military Experiences
Exploring the experiences of people serving with the military during times of conflict is a popular topic in the Archives! Due to the generosity of community members who have donated their relatives’ military diaries, letters, photographs, interviews, certificates, medals, uniforms, and more, BCM&CC and its military archives has preserved a wealth of resources which bring personal military experiences to life!
People may access these resources, online and on-site, to learn more about soldiers’ experiences, as well as the experiences of Bruce County communities during times of international conflict. Many whose relatives enlisted for military service wish to learn more about their experiences; others are curious about the way in which Bruce County’s experiences during times of conflict reflect Canada’s approach to military service and international relations. The Archives provides a permanent home for military information, paper items, photographs, and videos. We work to arrange, describe, and digitize records to make them accessible to the public!
Donating Military Items
- Contact archives@brucecounty.on.ca to discuss possible donation of books, paper, photos, or video military-themed items, such as those listed below.
- Contact museum@brucecounty.on.ca to discuss the possible donation of three-dimensional artefacts such as medals and uniforms.
Items Bringing Military Experiences to Life
Photographs
Photos convey more than words: camaraderie, emotions, morale, community pride, severe conditions, challenges, and more.
Postcards
Postcards contain images of the overseas locations visited by soldiers (often during times of vacation / leave), and brief messages to friends and family.
Letters
Letters may contain more details about day-to-day experiences. Despite censors, and soldiers’ desires to minimize the worry of those at home, harrowing experiences were sometimes described.
- In one of Southampton’s Victor Tranter’s letters home, he tells his mother in May 1915: “I had to use a dead man’s rifle, as mine was shot and broken, so had some good chance to study the chances a man has against the bullet, and concluded they were all against the man.”
- William James Johnston, of Elderslie Township, shares with his brother in October 1918: “Over a year ago I was gassed, so that I lost my voice for a month but I got over that and then again I have been hit by splinters of shells, but they were so far spent that they did me no harm.”
Diaries
Diaries written by soldiers also contain notes about their experiences, such as:
- the condition of trenches: “Trenches very muddy and poorly built. … got rations under heavy M.G. [machine gun] fire” (Private Victor Tranter, 1915)
- logistical work performed: “Spent these two days building a road, no slight job when the landing is nothing but shell holes.” (Private Harold Dodsworth, Elmwood, April 17-18, 1917)
- dangerous situations: “Very squally all night and it is my turn for night dispatch. On our way up to the 45 Bty we are blown into a trench by shells. We get up and go about 100 yds further when another shell lands not 15 ft from us, but luckily it was a dud.” (Gunner Daniel Roppel, August 29, 1917)
Certificates
Military certificates share information about military training, qualifications, service, and recognition.
Newspaper Ads and Articles
Advertisements, letters and articles published in newspapers and magazines give first-hand accounts of life on the home front as well as the experiences of those serving their country. On the home front, learn about Bruce County residents’ response to recruiting, rations, conscription, businesses supporting the war effort, and more.
Our Bruce County Historic Newspapers website contains digitized newspapers from the First and Second World War eras.
Books, family histories and articles
Family history narratives, articles, and books reflect military experiences, including personal perspectives.
Veteran Interviews
Over the years, BCM&CC has participated in Veterans Remembers video oral history projects, which have resulted in close to 100 DVDs of veteran interviews, primarily reflecting experiences in the Second World War. Information from veterans is also included in family history booklets, articles, and essays.
Click here for a list of video interviews.
Permanent Home at Bruce County Archives
The Archives at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre ensures permanent preservation of our military history by caring for donated items pursuant to archival bests practices: with acid-free enclosures and temperature / humidity-controlled storage. Our community and residents’ military-related experiences come alive here in the Archives at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre!
If you wish to contribute to the preservation of military history by donating items reflecting the experiences of Bruce County residents, organizations, or businesses, please contact:
- archives@brucecounty.on.ca or
- call Archives Staff 226-909-2426.
Accessing Bruce County Military Records for Research
- Those wishing to view military items may visit the Archives & Research Room at BCM&CC.
- Many photos, diaries and letters may also be viewed online in our Online Collections.
- BruceRemembers.org recognizes over 8,000 Bruce County-connected individuals who have served in the military, and contains information about some of the Battalions they served with.
- BCM&CC’s Research Information page contains a military section with links to resource lists, such as:
- 160th Battalion and soldier images
- Military medals, uniforms and other objects
- Soldiers’ letters and diaries
- Books about military conflicts
- Veterans’ oral history interviews
